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COVID-19 Live Updates: Texas' Electricity Shut-off Moratorium Ends Today

KERA

Published June 29, 2021 at 2:09 PM CDT

David Cheng, director of inpatient pharmacy, prepares the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Get live updates throughout the day on how COVID-19 is affecting North Texas.

In Texas: More than 2.9 million cases and more than 52,200 deaths have been reported.
Cases In North Texas: Tarrant County: 263,335; Dallas County: 262,710; Denton County: 76,975; Collin County: 75,928. There have been at least 9,148 reported deaths in the region's four largest counties. (Data as of June 28)
Counties across Texas: Use the Texas Newsroom's interactive maps.
Global: See Johns Hopkins University's COVID-19 dashboard.

Texas' Electricity Shut-off Moratorium Ends Today

Private electricity companies can turn people's electricity off for past-due bills beginning today. State regulators lifted a moratorium on disconnections after months of pressure from private industry.

About 250,000 households are behind on bills — and that's just in San Antonio and Austin, where the city-owned utilities have yet to announce when local shut-offs will resume. The average past-due amount is about $600.

The private energy conglomerates that dominate the deregulated market across most of the state, including in Houston and Dallas, refused to answer Texas Public Radio's questions about how many of their customers owe money.

Companies are required to offer an extended payment plan to people who ask for it.

Texas Public Radio's Dominic Anthony Walsh contributed this report.

Extra Child Tax Credit Payments Start Next Month

In mid-July, the U.S. government will start sending out the first of six monthly payments to millions of American families with children.

Earlier this year, Congress approved an expansion of the child tax credit as part of the American Rescue Plan — that's that huge pandemic relief bill proposed by the Biden Administration.

Most US families with children under 18-years-old are eligible to receive the monthly payments.

The federal government will send parents up to $250 per child aged 6 to 17, and as much as $300 for each child under 6.

The exact payment is based on family income and tapers off for higher income families.

For eligible parents who filed taxes the last two years, payments should start automatically in mid-July. They'll come as a check or a direct deposit from the Treasury.

Parents who did not file taxes because they weren't required to may need to take an extra step.

They can visit IRS.gov to make sure they're signed up to receive the Advance Child Tax Credit payments.

The deadline to do that is July 15.

Dallas ISD Hosts Pop-Up Vaccine Site

The Dallas school district's teaming up with Parkland Hospital to hold pop-up COVID-19 vaccine sites ahead of the new school year.

The first one runs from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. today at Samuell High School on Palisade Drive.

Students 12 and older can register for doses of the Pfizer vaccine, but minors need to have a parent or guardian with them. They'll also need a valid ID to get a shot.

The district's anticipating a full return to in-person instruction in the coming school year.

Dallas County Reports 133 New Cases

Another 133 cases brings the total to 262,710. So far, a total of 148 Dallas residents have contracted COVID-19 variants.

A total of 4,122 residents have died from the virus in the area. Today, two deaths were reported of a Dallas woman in her 70s and a Mesquite woman in her 80s.

34 Additional Cases In Tarrant County

There are an additional 34 cases, which increases the total to 263,335. There have been 3,566 deaths and 257,757 people who have recovered from the virus in the county.

Denton County Announces 85 More Cases

An additional 85 cases have been announced, of which 83 are active. That raises the countywide total to 76,975.

There are also 131 newly-recovered cases, increasing the countywide recovery total to 74,715.

Fort Worth Hosts Neighborhood Vaccination Clinics

The city of Fort Worth is holding several neighborhood vaccination clinicsthroughout the week.

Shots will be available for people 18 and older tomorrow morning from 9 to 11 at the Handley Meadowbrook Community Center.

Tomorrow afternoon from 2-4 p.m., doses will be distributed at the R.D. Evans Community Center.

There's a full list of sites at fortworthtexas.gov.

Tarrant County Reports 58 New Cases

Tarrant County has now seen a total of 263,178 cases of COVID-19. County officials also report 257,633 people have recovered.

More Than 11 Million Texans Fully Vaccinated

The Texas Department of State Health Services reports 11,634,096 people are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. More than 13 million Texans have received at least one dose.

Extra Unemployment Benefits For Texans End Tomorrow

Tomorrow Texas joins other Republican-led states in opting out of federal pandemic unemployment programs Congress approved to last through early September. Cisco Gamez, with the Texas Workforce Commission, says that includes a $300 weekly boost to jobless benefits.

“If you’re on regular unemployment, the additional $300 a week benefits will end June 26, 2021," Gamez said. "But, TWC will continue to pay you regular benefits after that date, as long as you remain eligible and have not exhausted your state benefits."

Gov. Greg Abbott last month announced his decision to end the pandemic-related benefits early, saying “the Texas economy is booming and employers are hiring."

Dallas County Reports 115 New Cases & 1 More Death

There have now been a total of 252,615 COVID-19 cases in Dallas County and 4,120 residents have died from the disease.

4 Deaths & 125 New Cases In Tarrant County

Tarrant County now has 3,565 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. There have been 263,120.

Home Values Are Going Up In Texas

Existing home values in Texas jumped about 15% last month compared to May 2020. That's according to Texas A&M's Real Estate Research Center.

Economist Luis Torres says soaring demand and a record low inventory of housing for sale is driving up prices, but calls the trend unsustainable.

"How can you maintain levels of 15% price increases for the coming months?" Torres said. "It's really difficult to do that. So you're probably going to price out some households from the market causing demand to weaken somewhat going forward."

Torres says statewide home sales in May remained well above pre-pandemic levels, but have declined from a peak last December.

Dallas County Reports 114 Cases, Two Deaths

The two deaths give Dallas County a total of 4,119. The deaths reported Thursday were a man in his 50s and a woman in her 90s.

In the week ending June 19, about 57% of eligible Dallas County residents 12 and older have received a vaccine. In the cities of Coppell and Sunnyvale, that number is more than 85%, and in Addison and Highland Park, that number is 75%.

Tarrant County Reports 208 Cases, Two Deaths

The deaths include a woman from Fort Worth in her 80s, and a man from Fort Worth in his 60s. Both had underlying conditions.

Tarrant County now has 3,561 confirmed deaths and 257,472 people have recovered.

Less Than Half Of Texas' Eligible Population Is Fully Vaccinated, A Cause For Concern

Public health experts are concerned over the slowing vaccination rate, especially as the highly transmissible Delta variant continues to circulate.

Catherine Troisi is an infectious disease epidemiologist at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston. She told the Texas Standard Wednesday variants of the virus will remain a threat until more people are inoculated.

"We have to stop the virus from replicating, which means we need to stop transmission through vaccination," she said.

Troisi adds available vaccines are proven to protect against existing variants. Nearly 48 percent of Texans 12 and older are completely vaccinated against the virus.

Federal health officials predict the Delta variant will become the predominant strain in the U.S. within weeks.

Dallas ISD, FWISD Host Vaccination Clinics

Several pop-up clinics will be open next week for students and staff of Dallas ISD and Fort Worth ISD.

The Fort Worth ISD clinics are open to students, staff, and their family members, as well as the community. Register by calling (877) 534-0319 or go to tarrantcountystrong.com. The clinics are as follows:

June 23-24, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Riverside Middle School, 1600 Bolton Ave, Fort Worth
June 24-25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Rosemont Middle School, 1501 West Seminary Drive, Fort Worth

The Dallas ISD clinics are open to students 12 years and older. Valid ID is required and all minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged on the Dallas ISD website. The clinics are all from 2 to 6 p.m. as follows:

June 28: W.W. Samuell High School, 8928 Palisade Drive, Dallas
June 29: Emmett J. Conrad High School, 7502 Fair Oaks Ave., Dallas
June 30: David W. Carter High School, 1819 Wheatland Road, Dallas
July 1: James Madison High School, 3000 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Dallas

CDC Director Extends Eviction Moratorium For 30 Days

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has signed an extension to the eviction moratorium further preventing the eviction of tenants who are unable to make rental payments. The moratorium that was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2021 is now extended through July 31, 2021 and is intended to be the final extension of the moratorium.

More Texas Students Are Lagging Behind Academically Because Of The Pandemic

The Texas Education Commissioner says the number of students who are significantly below grade level is far higher this year because of the pandemic. Mike Morath shared concerns about STAAR results with the State Board of Education Wednesday.

"I will say the preliminary look is every bit as problematic as we thought that they could be given the information sources that we got throughout the course of the school year," he said.

Morath said public schools across the state will need to focus on how to help students catch up for the foreseeable future.

Tarrant County Reports Moderate Rise In Positivity Rate, Hospitalizations

Health officials in Tarrant County say the COVID-19 positivity rate and hospitalizations have risen slightly in the last two weeks.

Tarrant County Public Health Director Vinny Taneja told county commissioners on Tuesday that COVID hospitalizations reached an all-time low two weeks ago. But more than 20 new patients have been hospitalized since then.

"Now in the big scheme of things, that alone by itself is not a big concern, but just the turning of the indicator is a little worrisome,” he said.

Meanwhile, Respiratory Seasonal Virus (RSV) is spreading.

Taneja said masking and socially distancing last year significantly decreased the spread of respiratory viruses like RSV.

"So we've just kinda gotten into an unseasonable outbreak, people mixing and mingling together, vacationing, all those types of things,” he said.

Taneja said kids and elderly adults should be especially vigilant about RSV, because there's a higher risk of developing pneumonia in those populations.

Dallas County Reports 139 New Cases

There are 139 more cases, bringing the total to 262,445. Of the cases reported today, 80 are confirmed. Two deaths were reported today:

A Duncanville man in his 50s.
A Dallas man in his 60s.

A total of 4,117 Dallas County residents have died from the virus in the area.

72 New Cases In Tarrant County

Another 72 cases raise the total to 262,787. There have been 3,559 deaths and 257,368 people who have recovered from the virus in the area.

Denton County Announces 3 Deaths, 29 New Cases

Three deaths were reported today including: A Lewisville woman in her 40s, a Denton man over 80 and a Carrollton man in his 50s.

Another 29 cases were also reported, increasing the total to 76,834.

Research Shows Parole Delays In Texas Worsened During Pandemic

New research says parole delays worsened during the pandemic for Texas prisoners waiting for release.

Michele Deitch with the public affairs school at UT Austin told public radio's Texas Standard that 42 people approved for parole died in a state prison over the last year as they awaited release.

"Even before COVID, people were remaining in Texas prisons for an average of three to four months after their parole approval, but before they were released," she said. "During the pandemic, the typical delay in release ranged from five to 11 months, with an average of about six months."

Deitch said 18 people waiting for release died of COVID. Another 24 died from other causes.

Delta Variant Likely To Become Dominant, Expert Says

Concern is increasing in North Texas about the Delta variant of coronavirus.

UT Southwestern Medical Center has been sequencing samples to detect known or new variants. The latest data shows prevalence of the variant more than doubled in samples from May 28-June 3.

As of Thursday, Dallas County had reported 110 cases of the Alpha variant — now more common in North Texas — and six of the Delta variant.

Dr. James Cutrell is an infectious disease expert at UT Southwestern. He said the Delta variant's concerning because it's even more transmissible than the Alpha. Cutrell predicts the Delta variant will become the dominant variant in North Texas in the next two to four weeks.

Dallas County Reports 95 Additional Cases

There are 95 more cases in the area, increasing the total to 262,365. Of the cases reported, 91 are confirmed.

Four deaths were reported today:

A Dallas woman in her 50s.
A Dallas man in his 60s.
An Irving man in his 60s.
A Carrollton man in his 60s.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins urged residents to get the virus given the spread of the more contagious Delta variant of the virus:

“With the emergence of the Delta variant and the likelihood of the virus continuing to mutate in an effort to become more contagious and deadly (as all viruses do), it is imperative that more people get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Tarrant County Reports 130 New Cases

Another 130 cases brings the total to 262,715. There have been 3,559 deaths and 257,279 people who have recovered from the virus in the area.

39 More Cases In Denton County

An additional 39 cases raises the total to 76,806. There have been 70 newly-recovered cases of the virus, increasing the countywide recovery total to 74,394.

Fair Park Vaccination Site To Shut Down

The COVID-19 vaccination site at Fair Park in Dallas will shut down July 17 — but vaccines will still be available at pop-up clinics.

It's the latest vaccine site to close in Dallas with the drop in demand for vaccines in recent weeks as the number of new coronavirus cases has slowed.

Officials say countywide, nearly 60% of eligible residents have gotten at least one shot.

Meanwhile, Dallas reported two new COVID deaths and 106 new cases yesterday.

Texas Unemployment Rate Stagnant In May

The Texas unemployment rate barely budged last month. The Texas Workforce Commission released a full slate of data about May unemployment Friday.

The jobless rate in Texas last month was 6.5%. That's down slightly from April when it was 6.7%.

Texas added more than 34,000 nonagricultural jobs, with positions in leisure and hospitality leading the way. That industry has recovered approximately 264,000 jobs since May of 2020.

Still, the unemployment rate in the state remains well above what it was before the pandemic. In May of 2019, Texas hit a new historic record low for the percentage of residents out of work at just 3.5%.

Dallas County Reports 106 New Cases

An additional 106 cases raises the total to 262,274. Of the cases reported, 96 are confirmed. There have been two deaths in the area: a Desoto man in his 70s and a Dallas woman in her 80s.

So far, about 56% of Dallas residents over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Tarrant County Reports 56 New Cases

There have been a cumulative total of 262,585 COVID-19 cases in Tarrant County, including 3,558 deaths.

62 New Case, 7 More Deaths In Denton County

Denton County Public Health (DPHC) announced eight more county residents have died because of COVID-19, bringing the total to 612 deaths due to the disease in Denton County.

The residents whose deaths were reported today ranged in age from their 50s to their 80s.

DCPH also reported 62 new cases in Denton County today, of which 60 are active cases. This increases the cumulative, countywide total to 76,767 COVID-19 cases.

COVID Vulnerability Dropping In Dallas County

The Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation has noted a 40% drop in average vulnerability for COVID-19 in Dallas County.

The Center attributed the decrease to a moderate increase in vaccines, and a 37% decline in active cases.

The center's vulnerability index shows significant improvement in some of the communities hit hardest by COVID, including the Oak Cliff area.

The 75208 zip code that stretches from North Oak Cliff to West Dallas is one of only 12 Dallas ZIP codes where 80%t of residents are fully vaccinated.

Three other Oak Cliff ZIP codes are still among the 10 most vulnerable in the city: 75211, 75216 and 75224.

Parkland Hosting More Dallas County Vaccine Clinics This Week

Parkland Health & Hospital System will host several COVID-19 vaccination clinics beginning Tuesday and throughout next week in locations across Dallas County.

People over 12 can receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine without an appointment and will be scheduled to return for their second dose in 21 days.

A valid ID is required, and all minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Clinic Times & Locations:

Tuesday, June 22

T. R. Hoover Community Center

5106 Bexar Street

Dallas 75215

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Supplies: 80 Pfizer doses

The second dose will be administered on Tuesday, July 13

Saturday, June 26

Northwest Community Center

5750 Pineland Drive

Dallas 75231

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Supplies: 500 Pfizer doses

The second dose will be administered on Tuesday, July 17

Monday, June 28

W. W. Samuell High School

8928 Palisade Drive

Dallas 75217

2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Supplies: 500 Pfizer doses

The second dose will be administered on Monday, July 19

Tuesday, June 29

Emmett J. Conrad High School

7502 Fair Oaks Avenue

Dallas 75231

2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Supplies: 500 Pfizer doses

The second dose will be administered on Tuesday, July 20

Wednesday, June 30

David W. Carter High School

1819 Wheatland Road

Dallas 75232

2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Supplies: 500 Pfizer doses

The second dose will be administered on Wednesday, July 21

Thursday, July 1

James Madison High School

3000 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Dallas 75215

2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Supplies: 500 Pfizer doses

The second dose will be administered on Thursday, July 22

People can also get vaccinated at these locations:

Ellis Davis Field House, 9191 S. Polk St., Dallas, 75232 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday – Saturday.

Parkland Memorial Hospital, 5200 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, 75235 between 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday or between 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Hundreds of American Airlines flights Canceled Over The Weekend & Today

American Airlines is facing staffing shortages and maintenance issues. ABC News reports the Fort Worth-based carrier canceled about 300 flights over the weekend, and was nearing 100 more this morning.

American said it could continue to cancel at least 50 flights a day during June and July if staffing shortages persist.

When air travel faltered in March 2020 thousands of employees were offered early retirements and buyouts.

Now airlines and the Transportation Security Administration are desperate to fill those positions as air travel has rapidly returned to almost pre-pandemic levels.

Dallas County Reports 102 Cases, Two Deaths

The two deaths reported Saturday give Dallas County a cumulative total of 4,109. The deaths include a woman in her 40s and a woman in her 60s, both with underlying health conditions.

Tarrant County Reports 129 New Cases, One Death

The death reported Saturday was an Arlington woman in her 70s with underlying health conditions. Tarrant County has seen 3,555 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. The county has also seen a total of 262,463 cases of COVID-19, and 257,058 people have recovered.

Vaccines Available At Fair Park Today

Dallas County Health and Human Services is offering COVID-19 vaccines at Fair Park today. Several community clinics will also offer vaccinations throughout the weekend.

AP-NORC Poll: Many Americans Resuming Pre-Virus Activities

Many Americans are relaxing precautions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic and resuming everyday activities, even as some worry that coronavirus-related restrictions were hastily lifted, a new poll shows.

The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that majorities of Americans who were regularly doing so before the pandemic say they are returning to bars or restaurants, traveling and attending events such as movies or sports.

Just 21% are very or extremely worried about a COVID-19 infection in their inner circle — the lowest level since the pandemic began — and only 25% are highly concerned that the lifted restrictions will lead to additional people being infected in their community.

Andrea Moran, a 36-year-old freelance writer and mother of two boys, said she feels both relief and joy at the chance to resume “doing the little things,” such as having drinks on a restaurant patio with her husband.

“Honestly, I almost cried,” Moran said. “It’s such a feeling of having been through the wringer, and we’re finally starting to come out of it.”

Still, 34% of Americans think restrictions in their area have been lifted too quickly, while somewhat fewer — 27% — say they were not lifted quickly enough. About 4 in 10 rate the pace of reopening about right.

Read the full story.

Dallas County Reports 180 New Cases

There are 180 additional cases in the area, raising the total to 262,088. Of the cases reported today, 98 are confirmed.

One death was reported today of a Cockrell Hill woman in her 70s. Two more people who are unvaccinated and under 45 years of age have contracted the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus.

25 Additional Cases In Denton County

Another 25 cases raise the total to 76,705. There have been 76 newly-recovered cases in the area, increasing the countywide recovery total to 74,170.

Tarrant County Announced 81 More Cases

An additional 81 cases brings the total to 262,334. There have been 3,554 deaths and 256,986 people have recovered from the virus in the area.

Dallas County Reports 103 Cases, Three Deaths

The three deaths give Dallas County a total of 4,106. The deaths reported Thursday included people who ranged in age from their 60s to their 90s, and all had underlying high risk health conditions.

About 56% of Dallas County residents 12 and over have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of the week ending June 12.

Denton County Reports 44 Cases

Of the 44 cases reported Thursday, 43 are active cases. Denton County also reported 62 recoveries, bringing that total to 74,095. There have been 604 deaths in the county.

El Paso, Once Hard-Hit By COVID-19, Now Has A High Vaccination Rate

One of the Texas cities hardest hit by the pandemic is now among those leading the nation in COVID-19 vaccinations.

El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar lauded her hometown's immunization efforts on the House floor Wednesday.

"When President Biden announced his goal to vaccinate 70 percent of our nation, El Paso not only met the goal a month early but we've surpassed it and currently lead the country by 10 percent," she said.

Texas, as a whole, is lagging behind Biden's goal to have 70% of U.S. adults get their first shot by July 4th. About 55% of Texans 12 and older have gotten at least one shot.

Delta Variant Is A Cause For Concern

Public health experts in North Texas are concerned about the spread of the "Delta" coronavirus variant first detected in India.

Dr. Carolee Estelle is the Interim Chief of Infection Prevention at Parkland Hospital. She spoke about the Delta variant Wednesday at a virtual town hall.

"It spreads about 40 to 60-percent more efficiently or easily than the alpha variant (from the United Kingdom), which already was able to spread about 50% more easily than the original strain of the virus," Estelle said. "And experts anticipate that this delta variant will become dominant in the U.S. pretty quickly."

Estelle said the Delta variant seems to cause more severe illness and hospitalizations than other strains. She said fully vaccinated people should be well-protected, but the variant poses a greater threat to those who've not been inoculated.

Dallas County Reports 112 New Cases

An additional 112 cases raises the total to 261,898. Of the cases reported today, 58 are confirmed. Four deaths were reported today including:

A Grand Prairie woman in her 50s.
Two Dallas women in their 60s.
An Irving man in his 60s.

142 New Cases In Tarrant County

There are 142 more cases in the area, bringing the total to 262,098. So far, a total of 3,543 deaths and 256,768 people have recovered from the virus.

Currently, 2% of hospital beds in the county are occupied by COVID-19 patients.

Denton County Announces 23 Additional Cases

Another 23 cases increases the total to 76,636. Of the cases reported today, 21 are active. There are 96 newly-recovered cases, increasing the countywide recovery total to 74,035.

Parkland Hospital To Host Vaccine Clinics In Dallas County

This week, Parkland Hospital will host several COVID-19 vaccination clinics across Dallas County. People over the age of 12 can receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine without an appointment and will be scheduled to return for their second dose in 21 days.

A valid ID will be required and all minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Vaccine clinics will be available at the following locations:

Tuesday, June 15 — 3 p.m.-6 p.m.

Location: Hutchins Gateway Apartments, 700 J. J. Lemmon Road, Hutchins, 75141

Supplies: 80 Pfizer doses available

The second dose will be administered on Tuesday, July 6

Wednesday, June 16 — 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Location: MacArthur High School, 3700 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, 75062

Supplies: 500 Pfizer doses available

The second dose will be administered on Wednesday, July 7

Friday, June 18 — 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: Awesome Touch Hair Salon (located in Square 67), 2550 W. Red Bird Lane, Dallas, 75237

Supplies: 80 Pfizer doses available

The second dose will be administered on Friday, July 9

Saturday, June 19 — 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: Uplift Hampton Preparatory, 8915 S. Hampton Road, Dallas, 75232

Supplies: 500 Pfizer doses available

The second dose will be administered on Saturday, July 10

Individuals 12 years and older can also get a vaccine at the following locations:

Ellis Davis Field House, 9191 S. Polk St., Dallas, 75232 from 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday – Saturday.
Parkland Memorial Hospital, 5200 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, 75235 between 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday or between 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Dallas County Reports 4 Deaths, 189 New Cases

Another 189 cases raise the total to 261,840. Of the cases reported, 131 are confirmed. Three deaths reported today include:

A Desoto man in his 40s.
A Garland man in his 50s.
A Grand Prairie woman in her 70s.

Dallas County Clay Jenkins said today marks the milestone of 600,000 deaths due to the virus in the U.S. He urged residents to get the vaccine:

“The numbers are improving because people are getting vaccinated. But for the unvaccinated, COVID-19 is still one of the biggest, if not the biggest, risk to your life this year. It is a risk that can be almost completely eliminated by accepting the free vaccine that is readily available throughout Dallas County.”

60 New Cases In Denton County

There are 60 additional cases in the area, bringing the total to 76,613. The county also reported 92 newly-recovered cases, increasing the countywide recovery total to 73,939.

Tarrant County Announces 44 New Cases

An additional 44 cases in the county increases the total to 261,956. There are 3,543 deaths and 256,601 people who have recovered from the virus in the area.

Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Supports Bill Banning Evictions During National Emergencies

Texas congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is among the Democrats backing a bill to ban evictions during national emergencies.

A House Judiciary subcommittee considered the legislation during a hearing Monday, just weeks before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s pandemic-related eviction moratorium is set to expire. The bill specifically targets "self-help" evictions. The Houston Democrat explained what they are:

"Despite local, state, and federal prohibitions the self help evictions are changing locks, cutting off utilities, refusing to make essential repairs, removing their belongings, harassing tenants in order to create an environment where tenants will leave on their own."

The Emergency Eviction Enforcement Act of 2021 would, among other things, prevent landlords from evicting tenants without a court order and creating a hostile environment at the property.

Over 40% Of Texans Are Fully Vaccinated

Nearly 11 million people in Texas are fully vaccinated, which represents 40% of the state’s total population.

The vaccination rate has been on a decline since April.

Last week, 370,000 doses were administered in Texas last week. More than 23 million doses have been administered in total.

Coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths are at the lowest levels since the first wave last summer.

Dallas County Reports 107 New Cases

An additional 107 cases raises the total to 261,709. Of the cases reported today, 102 are confirmed. Four deaths were reported today including:

A Dallas man in his 50s.
A Garland woman in her 60s.
A Dallas man in his 80s.
A Rowlett man in his 80s.

During April and May, 20% of the county’s COVID-19 cases were in children younger than 18 years old.

74 Additional Cases In Denton County

Another 74 cases brings the total to 76,553. There are 125 newly recovered cases, increasing the countywide recovery total to 73,847.

Tarrant County Announces 58 New Cases

There are 58 more cases in the area, increasing the total to 261,912. There have been 3,543 deaths and 256,509 people have recovered from the virus in the area.

New State Agency Will Help Texans With Pandemic Recovery

A new state agency called Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute is meant to help Texas recover from the current COVID-19 pandemic while preparing for the next one.

Eric Boerwinkle is dean of UT Health Science Center at Houston's School of Public Health, which will lead in launching the agency. He told public radio's Texas Standard that they'll use both federal and state funding.

“It takes more money obviously to stand up a new state agency, and we'll be able to use the current federal funds that are being provided to Texas for pandemic preparedness, along with other things related to COVID-19 response,” he said. “But in the future it'll be a combination really of federal funds and state funds.”

Boerwinkle said the agency will also partner with the Texas Department of State Health Services and won't duplicate efforts of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tarrant County Reports 108 New Cases

Tarrant County is reporting 108 new cases on Sunday, bringing the total number of cases to 261,854. Of the new cases, 84 were confirmed and 24 were probable.

Two deaths were reported.

Dallas County Reports 105 New Cases, 4 Deaths

Dallas County is reporting 105 new cases and 4 deaths on Saturday. Of the new cases, 95 were confirmed and 10 were probable. The county's total number of cases is now 304,607. The deaths total 4,092.

Tarrant County Reports 3 Deaths, 51 New Cases

Tarrant County is reporting 51 cases on Saturday -- of the new cases, 38 were confirmed and 13 were probable. This makes the county's total number of cases 261,770. The death toll stands at 3,541.

712 New Cases Reported In Collin County

The state added 712 cases to Collin County's total on Saturday. Of the new cases, 437 were confirmed and 274 were probable. The county's total now stands at 92,233.

The Release Of People From Texas County Jails Is Still Being Restricted

Gov. Greg Abbott has been saying for months that Texas is no longer restricted by the coronavirus pandemic. Face mask mandates are gone, and people are crowding back into businesses and public places.

But there is one crucial government function the Republican governor has kept limited since he declared a public health disaster last March: the release of people from Texas county jails.

Abbott’s controversial order aims to stop the release of any criminal defendant accused or previously convicted of a violent crime on a no-cost bond, meaning such defendants would only get out of jail in the pandemic if they could afford money bail. It also disallowed those serving short, misdemeanor sentences from being released early for good behavior, a common practice in county jails. The order’s legality has long been questioned, and at least several local courts have found it unconstitutional — leading to a patchwork implementation.

Still, at least in parts of the state, the order continues to keep people in jail who may have otherwise been released before the coronavirus ravaged Texas. It is the governor’s only emergency order aside from requiring collection of medical data on the coronavirus that he has kept in place for more than a year.

Abbott issued his emergency order last March as Texas counties sought to combat the pandemic by lowering their jail populations — where the risk of the coronavirus was particularly high given poor sanitary conditions and close quarters. At the time, Abbott said the order was to prevent mass releases from jails.

A spokesperson did not answer repeated questions in the last month asking why the governor has continued the order.